To ride by yourself or not ride by yourself?

[Sniper]

G'day Dudes and Dudetts.

Fantastic day for a ride out there and here I am bloody sitting in front of a computer at work doing nothing. I would rather prefer to be out on my bike exploring and enjoying the freedom that being on a two wheeled machine offers. Anyway, that brings me to a question. Do you prefer riding on your own or in groups. Or, are you just not fussed?

I have grown up with very little social skills (Hard to imagine I know) so being around people houses alot of "cat in a room full of rocking chairs" moments for me. Hence I enjoy dissappearing on my bike by myself but equally, I enjoy the company of others and I like meeting new people (sometimes). So Im not fussed. If pushed though, I would like to say I enjoy riding with others more because it subconsciously provides me with a "safer" mindset incase anything goes wrong, there is another person around.

So, what would you say and why?

[froggyfrenchman]

would have to rate it equally. but, riding with learners can become very frustrating over long trips. So, is long as youre with a good group its fine. I only have one mate that i will ride two abreast with.

[Dodge10]

Bro even though , i dont have anybike yet, i would go with the groups is better. It feels stronger and safer, thats what i feel...

[cher]

i've just come back from a ride did 100ks i ride by myself only because i don't know anyone else in my area awesome day cheers

[**R1**]

Im not fussed eitha way but at least if you go with others and you get chased by the cops chances are they will catch someone else b4 thay catch me, so i guess riding with others has it advantages.

[Charlie]

I am one of those frustrating learner riders so I like the small group rides, I usually go out with just one or two others esp being new to WGTN I dont fancy getting lost as well. Solo rides where you can just ride somewhere for the sake of riding are cool too; havent done a big group ride yet - which is actually a confidnce thing. Best get over that real quick as I'm doing the KB Tukas ride and 2nd October!

[madboy]

I'm not too fussed. Group rides are good for exploring roads I don't know and for the social intercourse (or monkey spanking) before, during and after. But on the actual ride itself I like to be out on my own. I don't really like having people behind me because I then feel a need to keep a good eye on my mirrors, which detracts from my forward focus. And I feel guilty about passing people when in a group too.

The best groups I find to ride in are the ones where you are very clear on where you fit in the pecking order speed wise. You just sit in there knowing that you're not holding anyone up, no ones gonna try to pass you at the exact moment you decide to cut the sweeping but clearly visible corner, and the guys in front are not holding you up.

A bit like yesterday really - a thou with good rider, a thou 2-up with good rider, me, another quick 2-up biker, and a couple of 250s. Simple, no confusion, no stress - except when I hit that bump at the exact moment I looked down at the speedo that was hovering between 26X and 27X...

[sunhuntin]

usually ride alone as not many friends here ride. have ridden in a big group of 82 bikes as driver, and also ridden with larger groups as a pillion. like riding alone as that way im free to decide on the direction, speed, stop points and when to go home again. think id keep group rides for once in a while so it makes them more memorable. i have ridden with another guy who has a bike the same as pup, he would be my main riding buddy, but even that doesnt happen too often. pays not to get too used to company, lol.

[sels1]

Some days I like to ride alone, somedays I like a small group, sometimes it's fun in a large group - but not too often. I guess my perfered option would be to ride with a few others who rode at my speed. There is a certain amount of safety factor in a small group - you are more visable to other motorists and you have support for any breakdowns/incidents. Less likely to get lost too...

[White trash]

I like to ride with a small group of people I know very well. Namely Hayden, Jimbo, Deano, Cycosis, The Tazman. The reason is everbody knows that I go in front, so they don't even try and challenge.

Actually, that's shit.

We all know how to ride very quickly, we can get as close to each other as we need to without freaking out and nobody calls anybody else a wanker at regroups due to close overtaking.

[zadok]

I like riding with groups, it's a great feeling. Now that my wife likes the idea of going pillion, it wouldn't bother me if it was just the two of us.

[Riff Raff]

The reason is everbody knows that I go in front, so they don't even try and challenge.

Except when you go riding with me...... and then I crash! That's it, we're not going riding together again!

[Ixion]

Haven't ridden with mortals for 30 odd years. Used once to have a few mates to ride with, but it was never like a group ride, just riding with mates.

They're all gone or out of it now, so I ride alone. Except for the shadows.

Group rides always turn into defacto races or pissing contests, never been interested in showing that I can go faster or slower than another guy, and I'm not good at following set routes. Like to be able to say "Wonder what's down that road, let's have a shufti".

We are born alone, and die alone, and between, I'll ride alone, though never without company.

[**R1**]

I like to ride with a small group of people I know very well. Namely Hayden, Jimbo, Deano, Cycosis, The Tazman. The reason is everbody knows that I go in front, so they don't even try and challenge.

Actually, that's shit.

We all know how to ride very quickly, we can get as close to each other as we need to without freaking out and nobody calls anybody else a wanker at regroups due to close overtaking.

Is this on that pink tricycle you keep mentioning??? hurry up and get a bike and come do the Akoroa ride you Nana..

[cowboyz]

I have always ridden alone. Probably because I never have anyone to ride with. I work shifts too so my rides are usually a matter of cant be bothered going home just yet, I think I'll clock up a couple of hundred ks the long way home. Am keen to meet some from around pallmy area and get into some group rides - just as soon as I get a bike back.